Review: 2007 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class

Amazing.

Great car but over-priced. I'd rather save 25-30 grand & go with a 650i coupe, which out-performs, & IMO looks better with a more reasonable blend of sporty ness & luxury.

Or you could sacrifice a lot of that comfort & grab an M6, which is still listed at about 3-5 grand cheaper than the Benz.

The only problem I have with the CL is that it is so huge.

I know it's an S-Class coupe, but they should've made it about a half foot shorter. It's too big to be fun. It's also too expensive for me to consider buying over an M6, 911 or even stretching to an R8. Don't flame me- I know those cars don't compete with this. But they're vastly better.

I think you guys are all nuts comparing this car to a 6er... Other than the fact they're both coupes, they're in two totally different categories. 911? M6? R8? People who buy a CL will just buy one of those too if that's what they want.

READ MY LAST SENTENCE AGAIN. You responded exactly as I thought some of you would, which is why I wrote it!

The 6 Series and CL are not in "two totally different categories!" They're the closest competitors that the two brands have to offer, in terms of high-end coupes. The 6 may be a half-foot shorter, but it is still a bit too big in its own right, and like the CL has more of an emphasis and smooth driving than on handling. If you want a sports car, get the M3, BMW is saying.

I know the 911 and R8 are certainly not CL competitors. But I don't see any reason to get a CL550. It starts at over $100K. So does the R8. It has a luxurious interior. So does the R8. It has a smooth ride. So does the R8. It can't handle. The R8 is a superb performer. It can't go through the winter. The R8 can. It looks fantastic. The R8 looks even better.

I could go on.

If you cross shop purely on price, you can literally cross shop anything out there. People don't do that, magazine editors don't do that, competitors don't do that in their marketing, ect.

I would argue that the 6 (based on the five) is more likened to the CLS (based on the E) in price and performance! I've even seen the 6 compared to the CLK in a mag at one point because it's only "1/2 foot shorter" and I thought that was nonsensical too!

You prove my point when you say "[these other cars] are vastly better." Better at what? Twisties? What makes them vastly better? Oh, I get it, vastly better because they are all lighter, smaller, harder to get into, harder to drive…. Qualities you happen to like about cars. Have you ever stopped to think maybe its these qualities that people don’t want in their super luxury cruiser? The CL is not a performance car and isn't bought for or driven for that purpose. People who buy these cars surly don't believe the competition you mention is vastly better or they wouldn't be buyers! Instead, they want a big, luxurious, heavy boat. Just because you don't see the purpose of the CL and would rather have something else doesn't make that something else it's competitor because at that point the CL isn't competing, it's a totally different "useless car" and hence these cars are in two totally different categories.

The R8 for example has a fine, quality interior with many luxurious bits but hardly the luxury monstrosity that the CL is. Where’s the plush carpet? The oversized and over padded seats? How about the array of gadgety items? Where is all the chrome and wood? While carbon fiber is certainly a wonderful material, it doesn’t fall into traditional luxury appointments, instead sporty. The R8 has a smooth ride but the CL has an unnoticeable ride. Potholes, road surface? What are these things you speak of? Best felt in a sports car but something the CL turns down for driver comfort. The R8’s AWD is certainly a benefit in the snow but the CL cant go in the winter? Where did this come from? Obviously you know more than me about the CL’s capabilities in the snow! All I know is I’ve driven RWD cars in the snow all my life and it’s not something that would deter me from taking my car in the snow. Now road salts, bad car washes and sand blasting the front of my car would deter me from driving either car! The R8 while it looks stunningly beautiful has a different presence than the CL. I would argue the CL looks better but that’s just arguing isn’t it?

I totally agree with you S4, however I guarantee anybody in store for a CL550 won't be cross shopping for an R8.

I always thought CL buyers were typical Bentley/RR buyers who just wanted a nice Mercedes for a change.

i for one would rather have a cl550 over an r8. For starters i don't like the looks of the r8 at all. to me it looks a little odd. secondly i prefer comfort over sport anyday. here in new jersey most of the roads are highways perfect for a cl550. however if i had my way i would rather have cl600. its prob one of the best coups in the world. very luxurious doesn't hadle badly and acceleration mabe even faster than the r8. perfect for someone like me.